Ukush

Umma

Ukush was king of Umma, circa 2350 BCE.

Ukush, also sometimes Uu or Bubu (Sumerian: 𒌑𒌑, which can be read u₂-kuš₃ or u₂-u₂), was a Sumerian ruler (ensi) of the city-state of Umma (reigned c. 2350 BCE middle chronology). He was the father of the famous Lugal-Zage-Si, who took control of all Sumer.

Ukush is known from the Nippur vase inscription of Lugal-Zage-Si:

"Lugal-zagesi-si, King of Uruk, King of the Land, priest of Ana, prophet of Nidaba; the son of Ukush, patesi of Umma, the prophet of Nidaba; he who was favourably regarded by Ana, the king of the lands; the great patesi of Enlil; endowed with understanding by Enki; whose name was spoken by Babbar (the Sun-god), the chief minister of Enzu (the Moon-god), the representative of Babbar, the patron of Ninni, the son of Nidaba, who was nourished with holy milk by Ninkharsag, the servant of the god Mes, who is the priest of Uruk, the pupil of Ninabukkhadu, the mistress of Uruk, the Great Minister of the gods".

— Nippur vase inscription of Lugal-zagesi-si.

Other inscriptions, such as an inscription on a brick with a central hole in the Bible Lands Museum, also mention Lugalzagesi as "son of Ukush" (𒌉 𒌑𒌑, dumu u₂-u₂). Another dedicatory inscription is also known.

It is thought that he played an important role in making Umma a strong city with a powerful army, which allowed his son to achieve the defeat of neighbouring and traditional rival Lagash and its king Urukagina, and then the conquest of all Sumer.

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  Nippur vase of Lugalzagesi, where Lugalzagesi describes himself as "son of Ukush" (𒌉 𒌑𒌑, dumu u₂-kuš₃, in the 9th column from top right.)